Drama

Staff

Mrs Cain - Head of Department
Mrs Wharnsby - Teacher of Drama/Head of Year 10
Mr Jones - Teacher of Drama/Assistant Head Teacher

 

Department Overview

‘What is Drama but life with all the dull bits cut out?’ - Alfred Hitchcock

The Curriculum in Drama is designed to develop individuality; to encourage students to think and express themselves with flair and confidence, but also to encourage tolerance and understanding of the local area and wider world.

Students are given opportunities through practical and written drama activities to experience the world around them and begin to appreciate situations from more than one perspective. Through drama, we encourage students to question, challenge and ultimately change their perception of the world in which they live.

Drama will help you be confident to promote yourself what-ever career path you choose.

Drama is a fun, dynamic and creative subject which will help to make you stand out in a crowd. In the current climate it is vital to be confident, articulate and self-assured. Drama helps students build confidence, public speaking, problem solving and team work skills in a highly practical and fun way, alongside written components and exams. You do not have to want to be an actor to take Drama. Drama GCSE will help if you want to be a writer, journalist, lawyer, teacher and many other professions.

 

Curriculum Intent

Key Stage 3

We will have you miming, creating character, understanding how to be an audience and most importantly, learning how to work effectively as part of a team. We teach you ‘Drama Basics’ right from the start so if you don’t have any Drama experience, don’t worry, you’ll learn it all, starting with the basics leaving you well equipped to take on Drama at GCSE level.


Key Stage 4

Eduqas Drama GCSE: From September 2023 onwards
Component 1: Devising Theatre Non-exam assessment: internally assessed (40% of qualification) 
In this component you will be Learners assessed as an actor or design.

  • You will participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre based on a stimulus.
  • You will use the techniques of an influential theatre practitioner or a genre.

You are assessed on:

  • Your performance. 
  • A written portfolio of supporting evidence (coursework).
  • An evaluation of the final performance (controlled assessment).


Component 2: Performing from a Text Non-exam assessment: externally assessed by a visiting examiner (20% of qualification)
In this component you will study and perform 2 extracts from a script.
You are assessed on:

  • Your performance.


Component 3: Interpreting Theatre Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes (40% of qualification)
In this component you will study a set text.

  • In Section A you will answer questions as a director, actor and designer. 
  • In Section B you will write a Live Theatre Review based on a performance we have seen.


BTEC Level 2 Tech Award Performing Arts (Acting):

Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts

In this component you will look at:

  • Acting techniques
  • Performance styles
  • Practitioners
  • Roles & responsibilities

Component 2: Developing Skills and Techniques

In this component you will look at:

  • Performing Skills
  • How to interpret performance work
  • Workshops and classes will develop technical, practical and interpretative skills through rehearsal and performance

Component 3: Responding to a brief

In this component you will be:

  • Given a brief that outlines the performance requirements
  • You will work on improvisation skills, vocal work and movement skills
  • Create a performance

 

  • No written exam!!! Graded as you go…
  • BTEC has the same weighting as GCSE and is accepted for post 16 and 18 pathways
  • Practically focused

 

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"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts."

William Shakespeare